A couple were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading guilty to stealing at least five donation boxes, containing loose change for charitable institutions, from a number of outlets.

Sandra Grixti, 26, from Żurrieq, and Christian Said, 31, from Fgura, both of whom are unemployed, also admitted to stealing money from a number of cars.

The couple were arrested by the Rapid Intervention Unit on Tuesday afternoon after they grabbed a donation box from a lotto office in Żebbuġ and fled.

The box contained money intended for Moviment Missjunarju Gesú fil-Proxxmu.

On Monday, they stole an Inspire donation box from a shop in Ħamrun, a Mission Fund donation box from a shop in Birkirkara and another Inspire donation box from another shop an hour later.

At 6.15am on Friday, they stole a handbag containing cash and a chequebook from a butcher in Kalkara.

They were also accused of stealing cash from a car parked in Qormi

They were also charged with stealing yet another donation box, this time of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group from a shop in Żabbar on October 22 and with stealing cash from a Mercedes parked in Żabbar on October 13.

They were also accused of stealing cash from a car parked in Qormi on the night of August 6 and of committing these crimes during the operative term of a probation order.

Mr Said alone was charged with breaching bail.

The two pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them in front of Magistrate Gabriella Vella. The case was put off to today for Mr Said’s sentencing and to November 3 for Ms Grixti’s.

In the meantime, they were remanded in custody, with the court recommending that Ms Grixti be kept at Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic ward as she had a drug addiction.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud, Joseph Mercieca and Roderick Agius prosecuted while lawyers Noel Bianco, Silvio Brincat and Yanika Bugeja appeared for the accused.